Kolkata shuts 13 hotels, issues notices to 50 over fire safety violations

Kolkata authorities have ordered the closure of 13 hotels and issued show-cause notices to 50 others following allegations of fire safety violations, according to officials. The action follows a deadly fire at the Shikha Inn Hotel in central Kolkata that claimed nine lives on Wednesday. The blaze occurred in the early hours, prompting emergency services to rescue at least 80 individuals. Police have arrested the leaseholder of the affected hotel, while the owner, Bireshwar Mitra, who had been missing, was also apprehended. The shutdowns and notices cover hotels located on Mirza Ghalib Street, Marquis Street, and SN Banerjee Road in central Kolkata. In addition, 29 hotels across different districts in the state received show-cause notices. These measures are part of a broader crackdown on non-compliance with fire safety regulations. The recent incidents mark the second major fire in the state within a week. On Monday, a similar disaster struck a hotel in Tarapith, a temple town in Birbhum district, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including two minors. Authorities there have already closed 15 hotels. State Fire Minister Kaushik Chowdhury stated that actions have been initiated against the establishments, with some officers also receiving show-cause notices. Agnimitra Paul, the state urban development minister, emphasized that inspections would continue and that no fewer than 100 hotels would be targeted. He criticized the lack of adherence to safety standards, noting that many hotels operated without valid fire licenses, which had expired up to five years prior. Other violations included blocked emergency exits, excessive electrical usage, inadequate ventilation, and unauthorized changes to building layouts. A senior fire brigade official detailed the range of infractions found during inspections. Some hotels were found to be operating without any fire permits, while others had outdated licenses that had not been renewed. Emergency exits were either absent or locked, and the use of electricity exceeded approved limits. Rooms lacked proper ventilation, and alterations to internal structures were made without authorization. These conditions, officials argue, created hazardous environments prone to rapid fire spread. In response to the tragedy, officials noted that the six bodies of Bangladeshis among the victims were expected to be repatriated to their home country. Five bodies will cross into Bangladesh via the Benapole border, while one will enter through the Bhomra border. One body was cremated locally in Kolkata on Friday evening. A family member from Satkhira, Bangladesh, confirmed the cremation of Rebati Sarker, who had traveled to Kolkata with her son. The ongoing investigations aim to determine how these establishments obtained their operational licenses despite repeated violations. With multiple fires occurring in quick succession, local leaders are under pressure to ensure stricter enforcement of safety protocols. As inspections continue, the focus remains on preventing future tragedies by holding accountable those responsible for unsafe conditions.